The Paul Revere Forum: National Security Whistleblowers Speak; Remarks by Rep. Edward Markey

As the Representative of the towns that the original Paul Revere rode through on his way to warn the Minutemen of Lexington and Concord of the impending British Invasion, I am pleased to join today in introducing the "Paul Revere Freedom to Warn Act."

With apologies to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, I would like to offer the following brief remarks in support of this bill:

Listen my children and you shall hear

Of a bill to help today’s Paul Reveres

In this February of Two thousand and two

We’re introducing it for a brave few

Who blow the whistle when dangers appear.

Today Paul Revere is a hero for all

And those here today have echoed his call

They’ve risen up to warn of dangers at hand

At nuclear sites all over the land

They warned the FAA of problems galore

Yet for years their warnings were largely ignored

They warned of security at Livermore

And instead of rewarding these brave few

They were fired but could not then sue.

Through day and night ride these Paul Reveres

And we must protect their right to sound the alarm

To every business and government arm

A cry of warning, when trouble is near,

They’re a voice in the darkness, a warning at the door,

And their rights should be protected for evermore!

For, borne on the night-wind of the Past,

Through all our history, to the last,

In the hour of darkness and peril and need,

The people will waken and listen to hear

Warnings of waste, wrongdoing, or greed,

And protect our modern-day Paul Reveres.